NIS releases new guidelines as it begins issuance of passports

The Nigeria Immigration Service - NIS has announced new guidelines it will follow to issue passports to Nigerians as lockdown relaxation begins on Monday.

Recall that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Retd.) placed major cities in the country on a five-week lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

NIS Comptroller-General, Mr Muhammad Babandede, has said that the issuance of processed passports will be done nationwide, urging its office across the country to release processed passports to applicants.

The order was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr Sunday James.

He directed that applicants be invited in batches via SMS and be mandated to be on face masks while at the passport collection offices.

The statement read in part: ” NIS has directed applicants to follow the NCDC directive on social distancing, wearing of facemask, washing of hands using soap, use of hand sanitizers among others at the point of collection of the passport.

“Applicants are to be invited in batches via SMS, anyone invited will show proof of invitation before they are allowed into the premises which must coincide with the date scheduled for the respective applicant to turn up and collect their passport.

Applicants who do not receive SMS alerts have been advised to desist from coming to the passport offices, the statement reveals.[Daily Post]